Save $10.00
Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Anna Maria Island fishing guide
Anna Maria Island is the barrier island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, with the Gulf beaches on one side, Anna Maria Sound and the lower bay flats on the other, Bean Point at the north tip and Longboat Pass at the south end. Unlike Bradenton up the Manatee River, island anglers fish moving water at the passes and along the beaches, where tarpon stack up off Bean Point, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach in May and June and kings and Spanish run the beach in spring and fall. The island also straddles two FWC management regions: water north of State Road 64 (Manatee Avenue) is Tampa Bay region and water south of it, including Palma Sola Bay, is Sarasota Bay region. Both island piers were knocked out by the 2024 hurricanes: the City Pier was still being rebuilt in October 2026 and the Rod and Reel Pier was still fundraising to rebuild in May 2026.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Anna Maria Island. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Anna Maria, City Pier, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Port Manatee, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Anna Maria Island. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: The Anna Maria Islander fishing column (Capt. Danny Stasny) (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Tampa Bay Fishing Reports and Forecasts (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Anna Maria Island. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Spotted seatrout | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Good | Slow |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Slow | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Mangrove snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Snook
Peak: March, April, May, October
Snook leave the creeks for the flats around the island in March, gather at Longboat Pass to spawn in early summer, then hold on the deeper edges along the west side of the island in July.
Redfish
Peak: August, September, October
Big schools push onto the flats around Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key from late August through October.
Spotted seatrout
Peak: June, July, August
Summer trout sit in 3 to 6 feet on deeper grass edges near moving water in the bays behind the island.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June
Migrating fish stage off Bean Point, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Pass in May and June.
Sheepshead
Peak: February
Late winter sheepshead hold on docks and structure in Anna Maria Sound and at Longboat Pass.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: June, July, August
Summer snapper move onto markers and grass flats in upper Sarasota Bay and around Longboat Pass.
King mackerel
Kings show off the beach from Longboat Pass to the north tip of the island on the spring and fall bait runs.
Spanish mackerel
Spanish arrive with the spring and fall bait migrations along the island beaches.
Cobia
Spring cobia travel with the bait and tarpon into the deeper water of lower Tampa Bay off the island's north end.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Remaining 2026 schedule: Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, every day Oct. 9 to 22, Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit, in state waters only.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
2026 recreational season was Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, matching the NOAA season in adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
2026 recreational season was Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Tampa Bay region (north of SR 64) and Sarasota Bay region (SR 64 south, including Palma Sola Bay)
Both regions: harvest closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31. Keeping one also requires a snook permit with your saltwater license.
FWC, current (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay regions
Open year-round in both regions. Slot, bag and vessel limits are set by region, check FWC.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay regions
Open year-round in both regions under the regional seatrout rules adopted in 2026.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Beach
Bean Point (north tip of the island)
Tarpon stage here in May and June, and kings and Spanish pass on the spring and fall runs.
- Pass
Longboat Pass
Snook spawn here in early summer, tarpon stage in May and June, and snapper and sheepshead hold on the structure.
- Beach
Gulf beaches off Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach
Tarpon cruise the beach in May and June, and snook hold on the deeper edges along the west side of the island in summer.
- Bay
Anna Maria Sound
Sheltered water behind the island with docks for winter sheepshead and grass for trout.
- Bay
Lower Tampa Bay and the Skyway
A short run off the north end for spring tarpon, cobia and kings, and big redfish schools on the flats in late summer.
- Pier
Anna Maria City Pier
Closed since the 2024 hurricanes; reconstruction was still under way at the Oct. 22, 2026 city commission meeting, so check before you go.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingfish Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 752 Manatee Avenue, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 |
| Coquina Bayside South Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1465 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 |
| Coquina Bayside North Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Gulf Drive S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 |
| Palma Sola Causeway Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 9500 Manatee Ave, Bradenton, FL 34209 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Island Discount Tackle (Keyes Marina)
Bait: live bait, frozen bait
5503 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Pro tackle shop at Keyes Marina since 1988, open 7 days at 7am; sells fishing licenses, has a saltwater fly section and charter captains, and you can come by boat or car.
- Marina
Keyes Marina
5501 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Full service marina with gas, slips and trailer storage, next door to Island Discount Tackle.
- Bait and tackle
Annie's Bait & Tackle
4334 127th St W, Cortez, FL 34215
In the Cortez fishing village just across the bridge from Bradenton Beach.
- Store
Cortez Bait & Seafood
12110 Cortez Rd. W, Cortez, FL 34215
Cortez fish house with a retail seafood market (Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm, Sun 10am to 5pm); bait is sold wholesale to bait shops and commercial operations.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Anna Maria Inshore Fishing (Capt. Kyle Taylor) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| AMI Charters (Capt. Will Hakes) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Anna Maria Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Captain Pete's Charters (PR Guide Services) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fishy Business LLC (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Florida Fishing Fleet (Cortez) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Full Send Fishing Tournament: Captain Jason Stock Memorial (The Center of Anna Maria Island) (opens in a new tab)
first held in late June 2026; multi-day, multi-species with offshore, inshore and kayak divisions, based at Cortez Kitchen
2026: June 26 to 28
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Anna Maria Island, asked and answered
Are the fishing piers on Anna Maria Island open?
Not as of the latest reports. The Anna Maria City Pier was still being rebuilt after the 2024 hurricanes at the city's Oct. 22 meeting, and the Rod and Reel Pier, destroyed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, was still raising money to rebuild as of May 2026.
Which FWC region is Anna Maria Island in?
Both. Water north of State Road 64 (Manatee Avenue) is in the Tampa Bay region and water south of it, including Palma Sola Bay, is in the Sarasota Bay region. Snook harvest is closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Aug. 31 in both.
When is tarpon season around Anna Maria Island?
May and June are the best months, with fish off Bean Point, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Pass. Some fish show in April and stragglers hang on into July and August.
Where can I buy live bait on Anna Maria Island?
Island Discount Tackle at Keyes Marina in Holmes Beach sells live and frozen bait and fishing licenses, and opens at 7am every day.
Where do I launch a boat on the island?
Manatee County runs the Kingfish ramp on Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach, the two Coquina Bayside ramps in Bradenton Beach and the Palma Sola Causeway ramp just east of the island. None of them allow overnight parking.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Anna Maria Island
Sources for this guide (20), last checked 2026-10-27
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/ami-charters-2/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/anna-maria-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/captain-petes-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/fishy-business-llc/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/florida-fishing-fleet/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/directory/business-listing/keyes-marina/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/event/full-send-fishing-tournament-captain-jason-stock-memorial (opens in a new tab)
- annamariaislandchamber.org/venue/annies-bait-tackle/ (opens in a new tab)
- keyesmarina.com/tackle-shop/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- annamariainshorefishing.com/whats-biting-calendar (opens in a new tab)
- cortezbaitandseafood.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- islander.org/2026/10/anna-maria-advances-pier-plans-major-cost-savings/ (opens in a new tab)
- mymanatee.org/community/information-for-visitors (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Anna Maria Island
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.